Gallery Director
The Gallery Director is responsible for running the gallery, usually including responsibility for finance, administration and personnel as well as artistic programmes. A Gallery Director would usually have several years’ experience of working in or with galleries at a senior level.
Curator / Exhibition Organiser / Exhibition Officer
A curator manages collections of artworks and creates exhibitions for display in the gallery from existing collections held by the gallery, by bringing in touring exhibitions or by commissioning new work. The role usually includes academic research and the writing of catalogues, information sheets and panels. Some curators will give talks and tours to members of the public. In smaller organisations, this role may be combined with management and/or education. In a larger organisation a curator may specialise in a particular artform, style or period. A curator will usually have a degree and often a postgraduate qualification, although some galleries may appoint based on experience rather than qualifications.
Finance Officer/ Manager
Larger galleries will have a separate finance officer or finance department, whereas in smaller organisations this role is often covered by the Director, Administrator or the Curator. The Finance Officer is not usually involved in the artistic side of the gallery and will carry out bookkeeping, budgeting and grants management for the gallery. An accountancy qualification is sometimes, but not always, required.
Operations Manager / Gallery Manager
Some galleries have Operations Managers who oversee the finance, administration, personnel and building management of a gallery, whilst the Director focuses on the artistic side. This post is sometimes called Deputy Director and is a senior position.
Fundraising Officer
The Fundraising Officer is responsible for generating outside income to finance the gallery. This could range from government funding, grants from trusts and foundations, to private donors and fundraising events. Fundraising Officers often work to specific targets and are sometimes paid on a commission basis.
Administrator
Arts administrators provide administrative support for galleries. Depending on the size of the gallery they may support the Director, or a department or the whole gallery. The role is mainly office based but is usually varied.
Technician
Technicians support Curators in installing exhibitions and setting up specialist equipment, they can also support events and workshops by ensuring equipment is working correctly and is available. Galleries which run specialist art-based workshops may employ a specialist technician, e.g. a printmaker or ceramicist, to support the activity.